77 | Looking forward to 2015

It’s been 10 years since I printed and cut my first set of stationery, 7 years since I launched the first version of lotusandash.com (a blog), and 2 since I launched this version of the site. It’s also been a week since I made one of the biggest decisions in my life so far — one that is sure to see a lot more paper and design from LOTUS&ASH come into the world. I’m excited. Very excited.

2015 is going to be a good one - there's a lot of work to be done - and I’ll keep you posted here as the adventure unfolds.

For now, here’s a look back at 2014 – a journey that included the pleasure of working with a record of eight (8!) couples on their wedding paper suites, a paper journey to Japan, and continuing to work with the most passionate small business owners.

- some highlights -

map-wrapped letterpress invitations for a sonoma wedding

map-outside

map-inside

incorporating watercolor into this “desert meets san francisco” chic wedding

watercolor_ca_1

escort_cards

planning a “beachelorette” and designing the wedding paper suite for one of my closest and dearest friends

beachelorette-2

10462619_10101112883055233_419035319661045915_n

juliet-save-the-date

la_map

completing the projects for 8 weddings at the end of summer

wedding_complete

… and celebrating with a trip to ojai

ojai_watercolor

visiting morita washi paper in kyoto

morita

exploring naoshima and solo time with yayoi kusama’s pumpkin and monet’s lillies

naoshima_1

naoshima_2

the first print with my evolution press … and the promise of using a real press in 2015

evolution_letterpress

These are just a few of the things that have made 2014 memorable — and, safe to say, the best yet. 2015, here we come.

76 | Becoming a Golden State Girl

I am oh-so-excited to be a part of Tessa Pompa's latest venture - Golden State Girl. Recently, she featured my "gold-listed" June obsessions on her blog and I can validate that I am, very, obsessed with all of those things. She left one off! My mouth waters at her gold table pizza recipe. It's especially exciting to see her blog launch since I had the opportunity to design its logo and banner.

gsg-design-sequence

I thought it would be fun to show the various concepts that led to the finished product. Tessa is just as in love with type as I am, so we new that her logo was going to be type based. We were both immediately drawn to Jacques and Gilles -- a font that embodies casual California chic. We flirted with Bodoni at Home and realized it would be the perfect complement to J&G. With artwork from her mother, the GSG look was complete!

A congratulations full of California sunshine to Golden State Girl on her launch!

75 | Cinco de Mama

This year, each day has made me oh-so-grateful for my family and friends, and I’ve had my eyes and ears open for ways to show my appreciation and give back. This Sunday, ankle injury permitting, I will be riding in the Napa Valley Tour De Cure, raising money to support diabetes research—and avoiding a Cinco de Mayo bar crawl. I'm riding for each of my friends who live with this disease each day - and especially proud to be on Team Brauer!

Faced with needing to raise a minimum of $500 for the charity ride, Andrew and I decided to combine powers and come up with a line of greeting cards to celebrate some very special people in our lives - our mothers.

Whether you were a

slurpee

slurpee drinker,

laundry

mudslinger,

beaniebaby

beanie baby collector,

bandaid

or klutz...

we hope these cards will remind you (and your mom) of simpler times when a

lunch

note in your lunch box was embarrassing,

gameboy

but having a Game Boy made up for it.

Each card is $10. All proceeds will go towards our Tour de Cure fundraising. For pre-Mother's Day delivery, please place your order by Friday, May 3. E-mail ashling(at)lotusandash.com with: (1) Your desired quantity/design (game boy, slurpee, beanie baby, band-aid, lunch, or laundry) (2) Your delivery address and we can take it from there…

Already got your momma a card? Support the cause with a bespoke card.

bike

Poster prints of the bike design are available upon request. All proceeds will go to Tour de Cure as well!

 thank you and a very happy (early) mother's day.

* if you'd like to donate without purchasing a card, visit the Team Brauer website *

74 | Be Mine - Part II

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I'm still busy dreaming up new card ideas. A card (any card) is essential, but I've also collected a few other things to make Valentine's Day (or any day) special.

language-of-sleep

Need a last minute gift that's simple and sweet? I received this book 6 years ago from my very own big spoon. No time for the book? There's also an online test so you and your partner can find the perfect sleep position (don't worry - not that kind of  position).

Feeling D-I-Y? I'm a recent subscriber to A Subtle Revelry and I'm inspired by every post delivered to my inbox. I especially love Victoria's collection of handmade Valentines.

darkstormy-collage

For all you San Franciscans, it looks like it's going to rain next Thursday. So, if you're staying in, play this album, make these drinks, eat grilled cheese sandwiches, and watch this video:

73 | Be Mine - Part I

Valentine's Day is my favorite card-giving holiday as noted here, here, here and here. In honor of San Francisco, the city whose streets are notoriously more romantic than its single twenty-somethings, I'm starting off this year with a collection of cards that's suited for those in love, those in hate, and those searching online for their perfect match: